Mistakes You Should Avoid If You Have Oily Skin

We all agree that oily skin is very difficult to deal with. But there isn't too much of a consensus on how to deal with oily skin. For example, a lot of people suggest using oil-based serums, whereas others say that people with oily skin should avoid using oils on the face at any cost.

People with oily skin suffer a lot during their teenage years and even during their early twenties. There is a fluctuation in the levels of oestrogen, progesterone, androgen and testosterone hormones. These make the sebaceous glands over active and cause break outs in the form of pimples and acne.

The problems associated with oily skin increase during the summer and monsoon when due to humidity the skin becomes oilier than usual. However, during winters oily skin isn't too much of a hassle.

One of the main characteristics of oily skin is that it has large pores and the face always looks greasy and shiny. But try not to freak out or stress too much, as this would only give you more pimples.

Here are some of the most common mistakes people tend to make while dealing with oily skin:

Over washing:

It seems like common sense to wash your face every time it gets too oily. But doing so would strip your face of the oils a little too much. These oils are important for maintaining the natural pH balance of the skin and for proper hydration. Stripping the face of its natural oils can cause even more breakouts.

Over use of acne treatments:

People with oily skin use spot treatment creams to deal with too much oil, but these products usually contain salicylic acid. This is great for acne but if used too much can cause the skin to become flaky on the surface.

Not using a moisturiser:

People think that oily skin means hydrated skin. This is not true. You just need to use the moisturisers with the right ingredients. Go for gel- and water-based moisturisers as opposed to an oil-based one. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid that balance out water and oil on the face.

Using the wrong products:

There are many products available in the market that claim to get rid of pimples easily, like certain face washes. It is never a good idea to believe the claims made by these brands and risk harming your skin. It is safer to stick to gentle formulas, even medicated ones if needed.

Skipping the toner:

If you have oily skin, then using a toner after cleansing it is absolutely necessary. A toner would help shrink large pores and ensure that the skin does not break out. Do not use a one with alcohol in it, as it could end up drying the skin too much.

Popping pimples:

Do not ever pop pimples. It may seem tempting at the moment and may even seem like a quick fix to the problem, but it would only make the pimple a lot worse. After this, when it eventually does heal, there would be a nasty scar left behind. Don't touch the pimple, and it would go away on its own.

Washing with hot water:

Hot water opens up pores, thereby leaving the face open to attract more dirt. To avoid dirt and clogged pores, it is advised to always wash the face with cold water. All skin types should actually stick to cold water. This ensures a tighter skin.